Skim boat



J1me 30, 1936. E. c. HANSEN SKIM BOAT Filed Oct. 18, 1954 R h m E 0 CL m F.

l L fiwmw Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to an aquatic device and more particularly to a self-propelled skim board for sporting purposes.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a novel craft for skimming over the surface of a body of water in an improved aqua-planing style; to provide a self-propelled board for supporting the user in extended face down position and which is under control of the user at all times; to provide a person supporting board which maintains itself on an even keel while being propelled by a motor on the surface of a body of water; to provide a propelled water craft which can be readily converted into a pusher for propelling other craft; to provide a board capable of supporting a person lying down and utilizing a conjunction with such board a buoyant prow body carrying propelling means for the board; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a sporting or skim boat-embodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 2 represents a plan of the same; Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 represents the device used to propel another boat.

Referring to the drawing one form of the present invention consists of a board ill removably connected by bolts ll to a buoyant prow body H2. The board in is relatively thin and of a size to comfortably support the user lying full length thereof in much the same manner as does a surf board as used in riding a wave toward the shore. Preferably the board I is made in three sections jointed together by bolts I3 with the sections relatively stepped as indicated at M.

The prow body I2 is preferably enclosed to form a water tight compartment l in which a gas engine l6, such for instance as known as an outboard motor, is mounted with its propeller sup port projecting through a sealed opening I! in the bottom of the body to bring the propeller 9 into proper submerged position for propelling the board I 0 through the water. The engine compartment I5 is surrounded by an air tight chamber l8 whereby the body I2 is given its desired buoyancy. The engine It is arranged to exhaust under water as will be understood. A slot 20 preferably covered witlr fine gauge .wire mesh is located at a convenientlocation in the top of the body I2, so that air can enter to supply the carburetor of the engine.

, When the board l0 and body l2 are in assembled condition the former lies substantially in the plane of the bottom of the body I 2 and therefore the prow body l2 becomes in effect a. shield to protect the face of the user from wind and spray. To that end the height of the body i2 is 5 such as to rise above the plane of anyone lying upon the board l0. Also the rear face 2| of the prow body I2 is forwardly inclined or away from the face of the user to form a dash board for bringing the engine controls 22 to a convenient location for manual operation.

In order to steer the skim boat a rudder 23 is mounted adjacent the rear end where it is controlled by a post 26 passing vertically through the board so that its attached cross-bar 25 can be operated by the feet o he user.

To counteract any tendency of the board M to become unduly submerged under the weight of the user, two pontoons 26 are attached to the bottom of the board, one at each side thereof so that tilting of the board about its longitudinal axis is counteracted.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the board It can be disconnected from the prow body l2 so that the latter can be used as a pusher or propelling means for a canoe or other craft. For that purpose a universal joint member 21 is attached to the body I? at a location suitable for attachment to the rear of a canoe or boat. When so attached the op- 30 eration of the motor or engine It will cause the canoe to be propelled as desired.

For guiding the craft while being pushed by the propelling body i2, a socket 28 is mounted at the forward end of the deck of the body for the purpose of receiving a lever or tiller 30 of a length suitable for operation from the stern of the boat being propelled.

In connection with the stepped joints between the sections of the board member it is desired to 40 cover these on the upper face of the board with strips of padding 3| respectively, such as kapok or the like, whereby the person using the board is protected from minor injuries while lying on the board.

While only a single form is shown in which this invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific construction, but might be applied to various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An aquatic device comprising a buoyant prow body, means including a motor for propelling said body, a relatively flat buoyant member attached to the rear of said body for supporting a person lengthwise thereon, two pontoons attached to said member and arranged in spaced relation, 9. rudder alined with the space between said pontoons, and means controlled by said person for operating said rudder. a

2. An aquatic device comprising a buoyant prow body, means including a motor for propelling said body, a relatively flat buoyant member attached to the rear 0! said body for supporting a person lengthwise thereon, two pontoons attached to said member and arranged in spaced relation, a rudder alined with the space between said pontoons, means controlled by said person for operating said rudder, and means operable by said person for controlling said motor.

3. An aquatic device comprising a relatively flat thin board likemember arranged to support a person in face down position, a buoyant prow body attached to one end of said member and projecting a sufllcient distance above said memher to form a shield in front of the person on said board, means including a motor mounted in said body for propelling said body, a rudder operatively mounted on said member, means con trolled by said person for operating said rudder, and control means on said buoyant body in position to be operated by said person.

EMIL

C. HANSEN. 

